My client Li Yunlong

Sand Valley stronghold.

A Japanese stronghold located on the Zhengtai Line between Yangquan and Taiyuan.

It is a key lock in the Japanese prison tactic of using railways as pillars, highways as chains, and strongholds as locks.

Lock the Taiyue and Wutai Mountain base areas adjacent to the north and south.

In other words, the Sha'ao stronghold is the nail for the Japanese to cut off and guard the important communication line between the Wutai Mountain base area and the Taiyue base area.

As the Taiyue base area gradually became stronger and began to transport funds, weapons, ammunition, and food supplies to surrounding base areas, the Japanese knew the importance of the Shawa stronghold.

Repeated reinforcement was carried out.

The first is the garrison.

The strength of the Japanese troops stationed at the Sha'ao stronghold has increased from more than 300 to more than 500 today!
That’s enough for a regular brigade of devils.

After the disastrous defeat of the 27th Division,

Subsequently, the fortifications of the stronghold were strengthened repeatedly, cement was even brought in, the concrete fortifications were rebuilt, and the main body and parts of the stronghold were even strengthened with steel bars.

Enough to block the bombardment of 120 grenades.

After all, the devils also know.

Once the railway line is lost, the problem will be very serious.

Far more serious than the defeat of the 27th Division.

"Recently..."

In the Shawa stronghold, Major Banben lowered his head and held a phone in his hand. On the phone was the voice of Yoshio Shinozuka:

"The Eighth Route Army has repeatedly attacked our locust army strongholds in various places."

"Among them, even some strongholds near the railway lines and even on the railways were attacked."

After hearing this, Major Banben stood at attention and bowed his head respectfully, but his expression was indifferent.

He knew that Tubal Road's strength had increased significantly recently.

so what?

This is the Sha'ao stronghold.

It is one of the most powerful strongholds of the Locust Army on the Zhengtai Line. It has a complete reinforced concrete main body and six reinforced concrete structure bunkers.

Hundreds of tons of steel and cement were consumed.

The defensive power is much stronger than the main tank of the Locust Army.

Can block long-distance shelling from 105mm grenades.

In the main body of the stronghold and the bunker, there are also two Type 41 mountain cannons, two Type 92 infantry cannons, four Type 92 heavy machine guns, and more than 20 Taisho Type 4 light machine guns.

There are a large number of trenches and barbed wire fences surrounding the stronghold.

Even if the so-called Tubal Independent Group came over, he would not be afraid at all.

Under the garrison of his brigade, the Sha'ao stronghold was unbreakable.

"We need to be more vigilant."

Yoshio Shinozuka taught calmly:

"Although the Sha'ao stronghold is very tenacious, we should not be careless."

"Hi."

After all, it was a direct order from the commander, the most immediate superior, the person who could decide his future destiny with just one word. Although Major Banben looked disdainful, his tone was very sincere:

"In this humble position, please remember the commander's instructions."

"Please rest assured, Commander."

"Currently, all the locust troops in the Sha'ao stronghold are at their highest level and are ready to attack the enemy at any time."

"I can rest assured that."

Yoshio Shinozuka hung up the phone after finishing speaking.

At this time, Major Banben still maintained a disdainful expression. Obviously, he did not take Shinozuka Yoshio's reminders and warnings to heart at all.

···
"General."

"I'm afraid this person..."

Yamamoto, who had just returned from Baoding, reminded Yoshio Shinozuka:

"Will not take your warning to heart."

Yamamoto's tone was full of disdain.

The reason why the empire has become so corrupted is not only the command factors at the top and the national strength factors, but also a large part because of the arrogant and arrogant officers at the grassroots level.

"I know."

Yoshio Shinozuka spoke calmly.

"but··"

He continued:
"I know this guy."

"Although he is proud and arrogant, he is never careless in military matters."

"He knows that a lion fights a rabbit with all his strength."

"Even if this person looks down on Tubal Road, he will not relax his vigilance."

"I see."

Yamamoto nodded suddenly.

"Any information?"

Yoshio Shinozuka asked:

"Although the Eighth Route Army has only been engaged in small-scale attacks recently, we must be vigilant as they launch a large-scale attack."

"Especially the Taihang base area."

After the defeat of the 27th Division, the North China Front Army and the First Army mobilized five brigades, totaling 30,000 locust troops, to strengthen the defense of the Taiyue base area.

But for the Taihang base area, it is really powerless.

There are no more troops.

According to his speculation, the strength of the Taihang base area would probably not be weaker than a division.

Therefore, Yoshio Shinozuka could only strengthen intelligence vigilance.

"Not yet."

Yamamoto answered.

"Pay attention to strengthen investigation."

Yoshio Shinozuka reminded. "Hi!"

Yamamoto bowed his head.

···
"Our goal this time is the Sha'ao stronghold."

"Occupy the Sand Valley stronghold."

at the same time.

The New Second Regiment, led by regimental commander Kong Jie personally, plus an artillery squad from the anti-tank artillery company of the independent regiment's artillery battalion, plus the transportation company, totaled more than 3,000 people.

They have secretly moved to the base area closest to the Sha'ao stronghold.

As the Japanese attach great importance to the Taiyue base area and the 386th Brigade, the Japanese intelligence tentacles also begin to penetrate into the Taiyue base area, and special high-tech spies, traitors, etc. infiltrate one after another.

The ten main regiments of the 386th Brigade were closely watched by the Japanese.

But the struggle is mutual.

With the development of the economy, the improvement of material conditions, and the improvement of base area policies, Japanese spies and traitors have been identified one by one.

It cannot be said that they were all caught in one fell swoop, but most of the Japs’ informants were also removed.

The rest don't dare to be too active.

Therefore, even though almost all the troops in the Taiyue base area were mobilized for this battle, when the New Second Regiment marched in secret, the Japanese were still unable to detect any clues in advance.

As a result, Shinozuka Yoshio did not receive any news.

"Sha'ao Stronghold?!"

The new commanders of the second regiment and battalion who came to the meeting all looked at their commanders with shock in their eyes.

They knew the task was difficult.

But unexpectedly, the target turned out to be the Sha'ao stronghold.

According to the statistical rankings of the Independent Regiment Staff Headquarters, among the strength rankings of the Japanese strongholds around the Taiyue base area, the Sha'ao stronghold is known as the most difficult stronghold to break through.

of course,

The reason why the Sha'ao stronghold is difficult to attack is not because there is a large group of Japs here with strong firepower.

Not to mention firepower.

Nowadays, if any regiment from the 386th Brigade is pulled out, even the weakest New Third Regiment can beat the Japanese Infantry Regiment in terms of firepower, let alone the relevant New Second Regiment.

You know, today's New Second Regiment has two regiment-affiliated 120 heavy artillery pieces.

The range of 105 kilometers exceeds the power of the artillery. With an advanced optical observation system and accurate maps, it is enough to suppress the Japanese wing-level artillery brigade.

The real reason is that the main body of the Sha'ao stronghold and the six bunkers are all reinforced concrete structures.

According to the information.

Not to mention the Type 82 infantry gun, the 120 mortar, even the heavy mortar, it is difficult to crack this hard nut.

Even if the explosive package is less than 25 kilograms, it is difficult to have a direct effect.

Coupled with the trenches, barbed wire fences, and ring fortifications surrounding the stronghold and bunker, it would be difficult for even an independent regiment to capture the Shawa stronghold in a short time, let alone the New Second Regiment.

So··
Everyone looked at an artillery staff officer from the independent regiment who came to attend the meeting.

Since the regiment leader vowed and confidently said that the mission of the new second regiment this time was to destroy and occupy the Shawa stronghold, then he must have enough confidence.

A known!

Even the 120 mortars were powerless against the Sha'ao stronghold.

and so!
"Hey hey hey..."

Kong Jie smiled proudly:
"This time, we'll be supported by a new artillery piece."

"One door?"

Everyone was shocked and confused.

Can one artillery piece make the regiment leader so confident?
What kind of artillery is it?
However, they also know that any artillery produced by the independent regiment is a good thing.

Excellent stuff.

While I was surprised and doubtful, my expectation did not diminish at all.

"In this battle, our tactics will also revolve around this artillery."

Having said this, Kong Jie's expression changed and his tone was serious:

"I command."

"The first battalion and the second battalion, directly under the artillery battalion, took the commanding heights on both wings and built fortification groups in place to block the Japanese reinforcements on both wings of the Sha'ao stronghold and buy time to attack the stronghold."

"Third Battalion, cooperate with the artillery unit of the independent regiment to attack the Sha'ao stronghold."

"After the artillery unit of the independent regiment completely destroys all positions including the stronghold theme and bunkers in Sha'ao, the attack will be launched."

Yes,

Today's new second regiment already has an artillery battalion.

It is not only equipped with two 120 heavy mortars, but also six long-range 82 mortars, and an ammunition transport team with more than people and nearly mules and horses.

For this battle, the brigade headquarters allocated three bases for each gun to the New Second Regiment, totaling 120 rounds of mortar shells.

"Yes!"

All the battalion and company commanders who attended the meeting were even more curious.

What kind of artillery is it?
Can the regiment leader be told to destroy all the Japanese strongholds and fortifications before continuing the attack?

So powerful?
The main body of the Japanese stronghold and the bunker in the Sha'ao stronghold are tough enough that even the 120 mortar can't handle them.

What caliber?

Also, the meaning of this set of orders is very obvious. In order to reduce casualties, we are prepared to fight a protracted battle. It is estimated that it will take a day or two to capture the Shaao stronghold.

Although two battalions were sent to block the Japanese reinforcements,
but,

There are tens of thousands of Japanese troops in Yangquan and Taiyuan.

Not to mention all of them coming over, even if two infantry regiments came over, the New Second Regiment wouldn't be able to handle it.

So··
Will other Japanese troops be restrained?

This operation...
Thinking of this, everyone's hearts were already filled with excitement.

It is already late August, and the effects of the officer training class in the Taiyue Base Area have already appeared, and the results are significant.

The battalion and company commanders present here analyzed from Kong Jie's brief order that not only the New Second Regiment will have to eat hard food today, but other regiments may not be left behind either.

Even the scale may be beyond everyone’s imagination.

Although they don't know exactly how many weapons Commander Li Yunlong and Li Da have obtained,
But they knew that not long ago, the Independent Regiment transported a batch of 60 grenades and rounds of mortar shells to the transportation area, because the New Second Regiment was responsible for escorting the transportation.

So they even knew the quantity very well. (End of chapter)